I still use my Utopias everyday, They replaced my HD600 Sennheisers. I strongly dislike the needless boutique LEMO connectors, I do love the sound though, Although I would like a slightly larger driver (it's only 40mm) so the sub-bass would have some more impact, it is the fastest dynamic headphone I have heard (not as fast as my STAX L300Limited, different tech) I EQ 2.5db bass shelf at 83hz and 1.5db dip at 3.2k with a Q of 3. The EQ isn't needed just my preference. I recommend the aftermarket cardas cable by corpsecable as it is light with no microphonics ( that annoying cable sound that you hear when the cable brushes against your shirt ). I don't regret the purchase but not a great value. 4000 dollars is a ton of money, but I do use them daily so I'm conflicted.
I'm also an Utopia user. The old version stock 3 meters cable sound the best. You should try it out. That one unlike the new version which has no micro phonics when moving around. I have tried Wireworld Eclipse headphone cable. It just simply downgrade the sound, vocal and instruments lost definition, high become bright..
@@patrickfung1644 Thanks for letting me know that the original cable is good, since I purchased mine Focal refurbished from Upscale Audio (at a very hefty discount) it did not include the stock cable. I will keep an eye out if I need a longer cable.
Utopia is smaller in soundstage compared to Hd800S but it was much more cohesive, accurate pin point imaging, much more accurate tonal balance and instrument timbres, micro-macro dynamics led to very accurate leading edge, much more effortless details and produce decent bass compared to Hd800S. I own 800S but cant own Utopia at moment due to cost. But damn Utopia is currently the dynamic king for me, period!
I audited them side by side on a lot of different sources. The higher end sources they plugged into, the more obvious that Utopia is far superior. To my ears, HD800S is between Focal Elegia and Focal Clear, very similar to Beyerdynamic T1 2. If you are willing to trade dynamics with imaging, Hifiman Arya is a good choice.
I have to confess, that I don’t have a problem with the stiffness of Focal´s cables. They even could be a bit longer. Fight me :) Thank you for the review, Chrono! Nice b-roll shots!
Wonderful sound on these , have had mine for a year and a bit but the durability has become an issue headband crack about a third of the way up (plastic materials maybe?) for endgame this is very dissapointing as the clamping pressure isn't there anymore and the sound is affected, hoping i can find a fix.
No, when talking about tone, usually mean do it sounds like the real things, or do it sounds duller of brighter than the real things. And talking about timbre is when there is some different musical instrument producing their note at the same or near the same frequency at the same time, when playback can the headphone separate and reproducing it.
I just sold off my Verite open and bought a Diana V2. The Diana is going back so would a Utopia be a good next choice? It’s being driven by a Feliks Euforia.
@@matthewhilty4209 My only nit pick is the lack of low extension and that they’re amp picky. They have imaging, separation, texture and detail galore but coming from the Verite, it lacks that little low mid hump I’d get on the jazz/instrumental tracks I mostly listen to. The Diana V2 are great headphones but I hear they’re working on a closed back!
Good day friend just popping in to mention great tracks by Jeff coffin and Derek Brown, the album is Symbiosys and features beatboxing saxes, very fun to listen on these hi end gear
I like Josh, great guy. But... disagree on that one haha. That's the thing, people can have different opinions in this hobby - and different preferences.
Can you guys make a video with casuals listening audiophile headphones ? I wonder which one will be more preferred. Something like Currawong did a while ago in his channel.
I’m running a Bryston BHA-1 balanced out to my Utopias and absolutely loving it. I have been told to look at DNAudio tube amps. Apparently better than Feliks Audio as they have enough power to run the headphones 🤷♂️
You want them to put research and material into the cable instead of the cans? Do you expect 500+ dollar cables when you buy speakers? And tho the Utopia stock cables are not so god ergonomically when it comes to the quality and build of the wire itself - as well as the soundquality - they are definitely on par with 3-4 hundred dollar custom cables.
The only question I ask is which one of Utopia's lesser siblings has a comparable layering, staging and depth? I like the Focal line, but I'm not entirely won over by the Utopia.. so I would like an alternative with a somewhat similar technical performance in the staging and imaging department.
Actually , I've spent much time debating these two before buying the he1000se... It's a muuuuuch bigger stage and equal detail retrieval despite what people will tell you ... At the same time it does godly bass ... Super balanced , both headphones are on the colder side of neutral , but I much preferred the he1000se overall
Reviewers that have tried the 1266 phi tc and then compared with the utopia said the utopia sounds meh at best. Must be a fantastic one that headphone...
To my ears Utopia is slightly more dynamic than 1266TC. But when it comes to imaging, planars are almost always superior than dynamic cans. Utopia's imaging capablities is about as good as some $1500 planars. 1266TC has more detailed bass and other aspects are not very different. Keep in mind that many low impedance dynamic cans are very picky about amps, i.e. Focal, Grado, Audioquest Nighthawk.
Way way way to much money for these ear phones...makes no sense wt so ever to pay so much for a pair unless ur rich and got it like that wow I wish ....i love ur video by the way ur a wonderful speaker u made me want these but man the price I'm lucky to get the new 2canz ear phones ..if I even get them .when I get paid like 100 dolors...but there great I can only hope to win a pair u have all my money goes to my babys....life is hard
I still use my Utopias everyday, They replaced my HD600 Sennheisers. I strongly dislike the needless boutique LEMO connectors, I do love the sound though, Although I would like a slightly larger driver (it's only 40mm) so the sub-bass would have some more impact, it is the fastest dynamic headphone I have heard (not as fast as my STAX L300Limited, different tech) I EQ 2.5db bass shelf at 83hz and 1.5db dip at 3.2k with a Q of 3. The EQ isn't needed just my preference. I recommend the aftermarket cardas cable by corpsecable as it is light with no microphonics ( that annoying cable sound that you hear when the cable brushes against your shirt ). I don't regret the purchase but not a great value. 4000 dollars is a ton of money, but I do use them daily so I'm conflicted.
I'm also an Utopia user. The old version stock 3 meters cable sound the best. You should try it out. That one unlike the new version which has no micro phonics when moving around. I have tried Wireworld Eclipse headphone cable. It just simply downgrade the sound, vocal and instruments lost definition, high become bright..
@@patrickfung1644 Thanks for letting me know that the original cable is good, since I purchased mine Focal refurbished from Upscale Audio (at a very hefty discount) it did not include the stock cable. I will keep an eye out if I need a longer cable.
Superb review. The vocabulary you used to describe how the headphone sounds is simply outstanding. 👍🏼
Big fan of Focal's products
nasaly vocals is the last thing I hear from the utopias, they're supremely initimate and natural
When the Abyss 1266?
When they will repair drivers ofc
Abyss has problems with their drivers?
First headphone designed from Focal? I'm pretty sure that the Focal Spirit line was released years before the Utopia.
Maybe you could compare the Utopia to the ZMF Verite, another worthy dynamic competitor.
Very nice review 👍
I will start saving to get this one.
How does the Utopia compare the the HD800(S) in t terms of "resolution" / "details"?
i would say on the same level but Utopia has far better instrument separation.
@@ReTr093 I might have meant layering but not sure if it's different from separation
Utopia is smaller in soundstage compared to Hd800S but it was much more cohesive, accurate pin point imaging, much more accurate tonal balance and instrument timbres, micro-macro dynamics led to very accurate leading edge, much more effortless details and produce decent bass compared to Hd800S. I own 800S but cant own Utopia at moment due to cost. But damn Utopia is currently the dynamic king for me, period!
I audited them side by side on a lot of different sources. The higher end sources they plugged into, the more obvious that Utopia is far superior.
To my ears, HD800S is between Focal Elegia and Focal Clear, very similar to Beyerdynamic T1 2. If you are willing to trade dynamics with imaging, Hifiman Arya is a good choice.
i have both, Utopia is defo more superior than HD800S in details retrieval and bass slam, but comfort wise and soundstage HD800S is the clear winner
How much better are the Utopia's compared to the Focal Clear MG's which have also received great reviews?
How does it compare to the Fostex Th909 or Th900 mk2?
I have to confess, that I don’t have a problem with the stiffness of Focal´s cables. They even could be a bit longer. Fight me :)
Thank you for the review, Chrono!
Nice b-roll shots!
I have the OG Utopia SKU. Those cables are long and very heavy.
I AGREE!!!
how about comparison with other summit-fi headphones? how does Utopia compares with LCD-4, Abyss 1266, etc. ?
this or the abyss 1266 which one would you recommend? im thinking of getting one after i saved enough in 10 years
Uhh well I have the AB-1266 but I’ve never tried the Utopia. I highly recommend the Abyss but it requires good gear driving it.
Abyss 1266 Phi tc ofcourse 👍
I'd never buy anything from con artists, even if it sounds good.
Focal all the way.
How will you ever get anywhere if 4k is a ten year thing bro. I know you can do it, go do it.
Utopia is much cheaper in actual retail. If I have 20K to spend on headphones and sources, I would choose Susvara over 1266.
Wonderful sound on these , have had mine for a year and a bit but the durability has become an issue headband crack about a third of the way up (plastic materials maybe?) for endgame this is very dissapointing as the clamping pressure isn't there anymore and the sound is affected, hoping i can find a fix.
Do tone and timbre mean the same thing?
No, when talking about tone, usually mean do it sounds like the real things, or do it sounds duller of brighter than the real things.
And talking about timbre is when there is some different musical instrument producing their note at the same or near the same frequency at the same time, when playback can the headphone separate and reproducing it.
I just sold off my Verite open and bought a Diana V2.
The Diana is going back so would a Utopia be a good next choice?
It’s being driven by a Feliks Euforia.
Worth a shot for sure. I agree with Chrono that Utopia is one of the very best DD's ever.
Euforia is a wonderful pairing with the Utopia.
What did you not like about the Diana V2 ? Funnily enough I was thinking to maybe replace the Utopias with them.
@@matthewhilty4209 My only nit pick is the lack of low extension and that they’re amp picky.
They have imaging, separation, texture and detail galore but coming from the Verite, it lacks that little low mid hump I’d get on the jazz/instrumental tracks I mostly listen to.
The Diana V2 are great headphones but I hear they’re working on a closed back!
@@aldphillip2003 I’d love to try it. The Euforia apparently matches well with a lot of TOTL cans. Great amp!
Good day friend just popping in to mention great tracks by Jeff coffin and Derek Brown, the album is Symbiosys and features beatboxing saxes, very fun to listen on these hi end gear
idk man, joshua valor did a comparison and said elex trades blows with the utopia
lmao
I like Josh, great guy. But... disagree on that one haha. That's the thing, people can have different opinions in this hobby - and different preferences.
Abyss must sound really good. But I don’t want to look like a moron when wearing headphones.
Would u take it out?
@@shadouxg7150 No, just personal preference for nice industrial design.
@@mavericksyao708 I would take it, even if it doesn't look good, it has an stellar Build and detail retrieval
Look like Frankenstein when wearing the abyss
no fr charts ?
Chrono doesn't have a GRAS rig. They're very expensive (over $10k for the cheapest one).
@@TheHEADPHONEShow oh, ok, i get it.
I was curious because i was used to see them into the reviews.
Cheers.
Can you guys make a video with casuals listening audiophile headphones ? I wonder which one will be more preferred. Something like Currawong did a while ago in his channel.
When you review a high quality tube amp one day could you also pair it with Utopia, please?
The new McIntosh MHA200 looks like it could run anything.
Feliks euforia tube amp perhaps
I’m running a Bryston BHA-1 balanced out to my Utopias and absolutely loving it. I have been told to look at DNAudio tube amps. Apparently better than Feliks Audio as they have enough power to run the headphones 🤷♂️
4K for headphones and the cables suck, come on Focal!
You want them to put research and material into the cable instead of the cans? Do you expect 500+ dollar cables when you buy speakers?
And tho the Utopia stock cables are not so god ergonomically when it comes to the quality and build of the wire itself - as well as the soundquality - they are definitely on par with 3-4 hundred dollar custom cables.
While I will never be able to afford a pair on my teachers' salary, I enjoyed the review nonetheless. Nice job!
Yes you will. Save, invest. Everything is possible. Think big(ger). You may have other priorities but this is a very attainable dream.
@@garryneil753 silver spoon mentality
@@dontlookspins If you actually knew me you would have pointed out my many other (even greater) faults as well.
@@dontlookspins that's why you'll always be poor.
The only question I ask is which one of Utopia's lesser siblings has a comparable layering, staging and depth?
I like the Focal line, but I'm not entirely won over by the Utopia.. so I would like an alternative with a somewhat similar technical performance in the staging and imaging department.
Just get the clear
The Utopia are good headphones, but the Abyss PHI TC is an experience. I own the PHI TC (unboxing video on my channel) 😁
Wich one has better detail retrieval:
- Focal Utopia
- Hifiman HE1000SE
utopia easy
That is a half percentage difference... Can you live with the driver timbre of planar magnetic?
Utopia
Actually , I've spent much time debating these two before buying the he1000se... It's a muuuuuch bigger stage and equal detail retrieval despite what people will tell you ... At the same time it does godly bass ... Super balanced , both headphones are on the colder side of neutral , but I much preferred the he1000se overall
Third
boom chicka wow wow
really miss being the THIRD every time
miss u metal
Innerfidelity prefered the focal clear over the utopia.
Pfff some guy in a van, eh? xD
@@evil_twit ,😅
Built of mostly plastic and creaking headband is a fantastic build for a $4k headphone??
I have the utopia and the HD800s and I don’t think the utopia is better than the HD800s.
@Nuclear Redfield you dont have neither
Worlds best headphone my arse that would be £55000 and it ain't from Kansas it's from a little town in Sennheiser Germany :-)
He said best dynamic driver headphone.
@@teqai no he didn't :0 but I got your point
4000 not that hard really to swallow if you have the means. I’ll probably get it
Best headphone in the world is the Sennheiser HE-1. It is $59,000.00 USD though.
.. And the least reliable apparently!
and with that price. SMH
First
Reviewers that have tried the 1266 phi tc and then compared with the utopia said the utopia sounds meh at best. Must be a fantastic one that headphone...
To my ears Utopia is slightly more dynamic than 1266TC. But when it comes to imaging, planars are almost always superior than dynamic cans. Utopia's imaging capablities is about as good as some $1500 planars. 1266TC has more detailed bass and other aspects are not very different.
Keep in mind that many low impedance dynamic cans are very picky about amps, i.e. Focal, Grado, Audioquest Nighthawk.
The above is one of the most fatuous comments I have ever seen.
What reviewers?
Way way way to much money for these ear phones...makes no sense wt so ever to pay so much for a pair unless ur rich and got it like that wow I wish ....i love ur video by the way ur a wonderful speaker u made me want these but man the price I'm lucky to get the new 2canz ear phones ..if I even get them .when I get paid like 100 dolors...but there great I can only hope to win a pair u have all my money goes to my babys....life is hard
X
Ur so lofi smh... imagine owning ur40
You made these $4000 headphones sound like $200 headphones lol.